Saturday, July 31, 2021

E.A. Bridges Crushed Between Two Engines, July 31, 1921

E.A. Bridges Killed Between Two Engines

Salisbury, July 30—E.A. Bridges, aged about 50, a machinist, was almost instantly killed at the Southern shops at Spencer today when he was caught and mashed by two engines coming together while he was passing between them. A widow and one daughter survive. Funeral services from the residence in this city Sunday at 5 o’clock.

From The Charlotte News, July 31, 1921

Highwaymen Rob Sam Ferris, Grocery Delivery Boy, July 31, 1921

Highwaymen Take Negro Boy’s Money

Two white highwaymen held up Sam Ferris, negro delivery boy for the Economy Cash Grocery Company, near the Hebrew cemetery, north of the city, Saturday night, and robbed him of $8, according to Sam’s tale to the police. The negro had made grocery deliveries in that vicinity and was en route back to the business section, he said. He could give no adequate description of his reported highwaymen, and the police were not notified until an hour following the robbery, consequently efforts to apprehend the men were unsuccessful.

From The Charlotte News, July 31, 1921

Carolina Baking Company Gets New Equipment, July 31, 1921

New Equipment for Bakery at Gastonia

Gastonia, July 30—Much new equipment is being installed in the bakery recently purchased from the Todd Bakery Company by the Carolina Baking Company, of which H.O. Miller of Charlotte is president. With this equipment the process of making Butter-Nut bread will be done entirely by machinery., One of the important pieces of equipment is the great oven, which is fired in a room separate from that in which the bread is removed to go to the high speed wrapping machine. The machinery leaves no opportunity for guess work, as every ingredient of the bread is weighed and mixed according to carefully worked-out formulae. Manager Carroll is building up an efficient organization now having 15 members. The daily capacity of the bakery is about 3,500 loaves and about 800 of the small “ice cream cakes,” a product that has become very popular since it was placed on the market a few weeks ago. A quantity of other kinds of cakes and pies and pastry also is baked each day.

From The Charlotte News, Sunday, July 31, 1921

Mooresville Social Notes, July 31, 1921

Mooresville

Mooresville, July 30—Mr. and Mrs. Roy Troutman spent Sunday at Connelly Springs. Mrs. B.A. Troutman and sister, Miss Mary Jones, have been guests there for the past 10 days.

Mrs. Joe White has as visitors in her home this week Miss Julia Potts of Morganton, Mrs. Wooten and Miss Rena Potts of Davidson, and Mrs. Thompson of Charlotte. All are sisters of Mrs. White.

Misses Helen Wilson and Nina Black spent the week-end at Blowing Rock, making the trip by motor.

Miss Lucille Hyatt, the attractive guest of Mr. and Mrs. P.A. Underwood, will return to her home Friday at Easley, S.C.

Mrs. C.K. McNeely has as her guest Miss Willie Bell Brantly of St. Louis. She is a niece of Mrs. McNeely.

Miss Bell McNeely returned home Saturday from Cullowee, where she has spent the past six weeks attending summer school.

In compliment to Miss Nancy White of Asheboro, Miss Nancy Lowe entertained a number of friends at a swimming party on last Tuesday night at Stewart’s Park. Miss White is visiting her sister, Mrs. Litaker.

Mr. and Mrs. George Beach have returned to Rock Hill, S.C., after spending some time here, the guests of Mrs. J.L. Donald on East Center avenue.

Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Robbins are visiting friends in the eastern part of the State and Virginia.

Mrs. George Coon has as her guest Mrs. J.W. Goldsmith of Marion. On the latter’s return home she will be accompanied by her mother, Mrs. Coon.

In the absence of Rev. L.B. Abernethy, pastor of Central Methodist church, the pulpit will be filled by Rev. M.B. Woosley of Davidson.

Mrs. M.F. Nesbit had as guests over Sunday Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Kerr of Charlotte.

Miss Ruby Menius has returned home after an extended visit to relatives in Salisbury.

Mr. and Mrs. James Jones had as a guest last Saturday Mrs. Joseph Price of Wilmington.

Miss Lettie Beaty left the latter part of the week for Montreat, where she will spend the remainder of the summer.

Little Miss Mary Parks Bell is visiting her grandfather, Mr. O.D. Mann at Whitaker’s.

Rev. R.A. White of Henderson has accepted the call to the pastorate of the First Presbyterian church here, and will enter upon his work the first of October. Rev. H.M. Pressley, who has served as supply pastor, has endeared himself to the entire community.

Mr. and Mrs. George Goodman left Wednesday for an extended visit in Canada, going first to New York, thence to Quebec.

Complimentary to the teacher of the primary department of the First Presbyterian Sunday school, Mrs. Willis Johnston entertained very pleasantly on last Tuesday night.

Miss Lucy Lipe of Winston-Salem, who has been a guest of Mrs. C.W. White, left Wednesday for Bentonville, where she will visit Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Washburn.

Miss Rena Brown, Willie Gibson and Blanche Lowrance, who have been in Asheville for the past six weeks attending summer school, returned home Wednesday.

Miss Catherine Deaton left the first of the week to visit Miss Lois Wilkinson of Hillsboro. She will also visit Morehead City while absent.

From The Charlotte News, Sunday, July 31, 1921

James McCorkle Forced on Horse at Gunpoint, July 31, 1921

Negro Gets “Ride” on Passing Cemetery

James McCorkle of Biddle came to police headquarters Saturday night with a strange complaint. He was passing Elmwood cemetery on Cedar street when John Fewell, feeling two drinks of 90 horsepower, forced James to board John’s horse and ride for several blocks.

“No nigger ain’t got no business passing a cemetery at night nohow,” John advised James. “Heah dar. Git upon dis horse and make a bee-line in another direction.”

The feeling of cold steel against his body caused James to obey, and John forced him to ride the mare, allegedly the property of John, for several block, John following behind with the dangerous end of his pistol pointing toward the rider.

After James had been taken several blocks out of his way the command to alight from the horse was given. James obeyed promptly. The query, “Nigger, kin you run?” was followed by the demand, “Then git,” as John threatened to see if the gun would shoot.

James “got” and he made double-time until police headquarters was reached, and between pants he told of the insult John had heaped upon him and demanded a warrant. Policemen were expecting to go in search of John after he had gotten home and in bed. If they catch him, James will be given a chance to get even in the police court.

From The Charlotte News, Sunday, July 31, 1921 0-0

E.W. Fite In Precarious Condition After Being Gored By Bull, July 31, 1921

Man Gored By Bull In Precarious State

Little improvement in the condition of E.W. Fite, who is at St. Peter’s hospital following an attack by an angry bull Thursday morning, was reported Saturday night. Mr. Fite rested fairly well Friday night, it was stated, but his recovery continues doubtful. Physicians are giving him every attention in an effort to save his life.

Mrs. Fite was tending a herd of cattle in Irwin’s pasture, in the western section of the city, when an infuriated bull made an attack upon him, goring through the intestines. His recovery is considered possible unless complications set in. The herd of cattle belonged to the W.C. Owens dairy. Mr. Fite, who is 55, had been in the employ of the dairy only four days.

From The Charlotte News, Sunday, July 31, 1921

City Right To Punish Drunken Drivers, Says Editor, July 31, 1921

Necessary Protection

City commissioners have dealt firmly and immovably in the case of a young man convicted of driving an automobile while under the influence of whiskey.

The commissioners have an understanding that in such cases, licenses will be revoked and, of course, if their determination about this matter is not to be carried out, exceptions can not be granted at their whim and caprice, no matter how earnestly protestations may be made.

There is nothing radical about this provision. Only those who disposed to treat intoxication with levity would dare contend that a man has any business at a steering wheel when he has been drinking. It is not only dangerous to himself, but it is entirely too dangerous to the public to be tolerated.

Many have been the accidents resultant only from instances of this sort, instances where men, while swayed by the influence of whiskey in their systems, have lost control of their cars or have lost their better judgment while at the wheel. The public is entitled to protection against this class of drivers, and it is heartening to see that the city commissioners are determined to give it.

From the editorial page of The Charlotte News, July 31, 1921

Friday, July 30, 2021

Progressive Farmer Magazine Cover, July 1938

UDC Says High School History Book Unfair to South, "Representative of the Spirit of Those Trying Days," In Civil War, July 30, 1921

United Daughters of Confederacy Find School History Book Unfair to South

By Jule B. Warren

Raleigh, July 30—The numerous protests from chapters of the United Daughters of the Confederacy against the use of Muzzey’s history of the United States today caused representatives of the department of education to call attention to the fact that this book does not have to be used in the schools, unless the local school authorities decide to use it. The history was adopted as one of four histories of the United States which might be used in the high schools of North Carolina.

The protests from the daughters of the Confederacy, which have come to the attention of newspaper men are general in their nature, the objection being raised to certain expressions used by the author in discussing the civil war period of our history. So far as is known there is no objection to the general treatment of the civil war, but some of the chapters of the history are unfair to the Southern cause and not truly representative of the spirit of those trying days. The protests have come to the Governor, it is said, to the members of the high school text book commission and to the Department of Education.

The offending history is published by Ginn & Co., and was adopted by the high school text book commission in 1920 as one of four American histories which might be used in the public schools of North Carolina.

. . . .

From The Charlotte News, July 30, 1921

J.B. Craver Protests Losing Driver's License After Conviction for Speeding, Driving While Intoxicated, July 30, 1921

Craver Gives Up His Auto Permit. . . City Commission Won’t Allow Him to Drive Car Since His Conviction

An appeal before the city commissioners Saturday for the withdrawal of their decision revoking the automobile driver’s license of J. B. Craver proved unavailing. The license was revoked by the board upon recommendation of City Judge Laurence Jones, after Mr. Craver had been convicted in his court of speeding and driving a car while under the influence of whiskey. The total of fines and costs imposed by the court amounted to $88.95.

J. Clyde Stancill, attorney, appeared before the board to represent Mr. Craver. The convicted man and his brother, R.D. Craver, also were present, R.D. Craver joining with Attorney Stancill in an appeal for the board to allow the defendant to continue driving a machine.

Mayor J.O. Walker expressed himself as positively opposed to showing any leniency at all, pointing out that the board had acted upon recommendation from the judge and that Mr. Craver had been convicted. Mayor Walker said that when the present city ordinance was framed, he wanted to insert a provision sentencing a man to 30 days on the road for driving a car when under the influence of whiskey, but a state law made it impossible to insert this provision. the mayor said he believed a man who drives after taking whiskey, or who goes at an unreasonable rate of speed, ought not to be allowed to drive a car in Charlotte. Consequently, he stood by the court’s office.

Case Up On Appeal

Commissioner Huneycutt considered it a serious matter for a board of commissioners to revoke a man’s license, but he entered no strenuous protest against the decision of the mayor. Commissioner Stancill was not present.

The new city traffic ordinance makes it mandatory for the city commissioners to revoke the license upon a certificate from the recorder’s court judge stating that the licensee has been convicted of a traffic violation thrice or when caught driving while under the influence of liquor. The law empowers the commissioners, however, to reissue the license at their discretion. It was upon this point that Mr. Stancill argued. He announced that the case has been appealed to superior court and he wanted to revoke ordered until after trial there. This request was refused, the commissioners agreeing to re-issue the license if Mr. Craver is acquitted in that court.

After the decision of the commissioners, R.D. Craver entered into quite an extended argument against the police department and its management. He claimed Recorder Jones had admitted he dealt firmly with J. B. Craver because he thought he was the son of R.D. Craver. The claim also was made that Police Chief Orr ordered J.B. Craver locked up after he told his name. R.D. Craver declared that it looked as if the police were prejudiced against the Cravers. Mayor Walker said Judge Jones informed him he had rendered judgment upon the evidence presented in court.

Charges Against Police

He made several contentions against the Charlotte police department and its enforcement of traffic regulations, and in many of these Commissioner Honeycutt agreed. Mr. Craver said that his brother was not charged with being drunk until he argued with officers, and made the claim that a man can hardly say a word to a policeman without being locked up. Commissioner Huneycutt took the attitude of being in agreement and said that an officer who acts in such a manner should be fired.

J.B. Craver was arrested Thursday night as he was going down West Trade street beyond the Southern Railway tracks. Policemen testified he was running 53 miles an hour. Mr. Craver claimed he was not running that fast and offered to give his car to the man who could run it at that rate, according to testimony before the commissioners. He admitted he might have been going 30 miles an hour, while coasting down hill with the clutch out.

From the Charlotte News, July 30, 1921

J.M. Hamlin Gives History of Lyon Family, July 29, 1921

By J.M. Hamlin

Capt. Lyon, as heretofore stated, reared three sons and one daughter. These children played, worked, attended school and church, moved in society and business as friends, equals and companions with those of the Glazeners, Galloways, Whitmires, Aikens, etc. They with their contemporaries have passed away. The names of the latter are repeated in the doings of the present day; but the former as good by nature and practice as they have ceased to be called, but the footprints they left cannot be obliterated for the reason the name should not be entirely forgotten. Some of our neighbors has as much Lyon blood in their veins as that of the names they bear.

Only two members of this family remained, reared families, spent their whole life and died in this county. William Leander married Matilda Nicholson and settled on the old homestead of his father. Quite a number of children were born of this union. He not only inherited the old homestead but also the trade and business of his father. In the noonday of life, when cheered by prospects of a comfortable living and a happy home, he was bereaved by the death of his wife. He remained a widower several years before marrying Elizabeth Nicholson, a sister of his first wife. He lost two sons—Henry and Milford—in the Confederate army.

James Clifford Lyon married Matilda Glazener, daughter of Giles Glazener. He bought the lands of Allen Erwin which embraced a large part of the present North Brevard and spent his entire life on this farm. Like his brother Leander, in the midst of prosperity and about the same period of life, lost by death his wife and afterwards married Miss McKey. He also lost a son—Albert—in the war; but saddest of all he lost two children which were drowned in the French Broad River.

Fortunate for the county then and now these two brothers withstood the Western Emigration fever, which meant in those days moving to Georgia, that swept away their brother Henry and many contemporaries, but being immune, they became fixtures of the soil. Both these gentlemen were good citizens—quiet, law abiding, industrious, frugal enterprising, temperate, contributing of their means and influence to schools, churches and enterprises looking to the betterment of society, notwithstanding the adversion of Dr. Price et al. Their quiet, even tempered, discreet habits contributed to longevity and as ripe sheaves of grain well fruited, were brought to the garner in the late evening. Leander died about 1887, a chaste upright member of the Baptist church; Clifford followed soon after, an equally consistent Presbyterian.

Leander Lyon religiously was a remarkable man and for this reason deserves special mention. He was far in advance of his brethren in spiritual attainments. By common consent he was regarded a converted man, “an epistle known and ready by all men.” He was modest, humble, rather retiring and deaf to the encomiums heaped upon him by his admirers. As Barnabus he “was full of the Holy ghost and of faith,” making no pretentions as some of a later date, to sanctification, holiness or sinlessness. He read the Bible and held family prayer daily to the end. HIs religion thus renewed day by day regulated his home, permeated his church, illuminated his community, but his life was a preacher ordained of Heaven, and brought forth much fruit. For a long stretch of years he was superintendent of the Sunday school and a leader in the weekly prayer meeting. It is said that he never missed by one appointment of either. It is said also that in these meetings his Bible teachings and earnest appeals coupled with the songs of his son-in-law, Turner Batson, resulted not infrequently in conversions. He told the old story in his own way without special training; the witness within encompassed the truth, and boys and girls, stalwart men and women, believed and accepted salvation and that in Sunday school.

Mr. Lyon was converted at Boiling Spring on Shaws Creek near the present Hendersonville. Like Isaian, he knew when and where he first met the Lord. These were annual summer gatherings of the churches given wholly to devotion and evangelism. Many of our fathers dated the beginning of their Christian lives to the power of these meetings. I think Eli Galloway was another convert and about the same time. His piety was never doubtful. They seem to be the two sent forth in their generation to witness the possibility and sublimity of holy lives. In those days to speak of the one suggested the name of the other. Their lives, work and influence seemed to be inseparable. The going forth by twos, you remember, was an apostolic plan and was eminently exemplified by these two in their generation. Where do we find the two of the present? Have their mantles fallen upon none?

From The Brevard News, July 29, 1921

Surprise Birthday Party for Rev. J.R. Hamlin, 93, July 29, 1921

Dinner given in Honor of Rev. J.R. Hamlin of Missouri

In a recent issue of the Standard of Bourbon, Mo., is an interesting account of a surprise dinner given in honor of Rev. J.R. Hamlin, in connection with his 93rd birthday. The dinner followed a Sunday church service, conducted by Mr. Hamlin’s son, Dr. M.M. Hamlin, and the occasion, from the description given, was a veritable love feast.

The article contained the following sketch of the aged minister, who is well known in this county, and who is a brother of J.M. Hamlin of Brevard:

“Rev. J.R. Hamlin was born July 9th, 1828 in North Carolina. He came to Missouri in 1869, and settled on a farm near Leasburg, in the vicinity of Cross Roads. He was married to Mary Ann King in 1849 and is the father of three living sons and two daughters: Dr. M.M. Hamlin of St. Louis, C.W. and O.T. Hamlin, both of Springfield, Mrs. Mary A. Long, also of Springfield, and Mrs. E.V. Lewis of Leasburg, with whom he is living. There are 21 grand children and 51 great grand children. He has one brother who is his junior by 11 years and lives in Brevard, North Carolina.

“After the dinner was over with, those present went into the church and after a few songs, Rev. Dr. Hamlin read a passage of scripture and made a short talk, not intended to be a sermon, nor was it in any way a personal discourse, but one of those coincidences where his text fitted into the occasion and the life of his father so beautifully that it was very touching and brought many tears to the eyes of those who heard it. Truly Mr. Hamlin, the Nestor of the Baptist denomination hereabout can say with Paul, “I have fought the fight, I have kept the faith.” Rev. Hamlin closed his discourse by reading the 23rd Psalm.

“Rev. Hamlin has preached the gospel for 70 years. He established through his individual efforts the churches at Cross Roads, Mount Olive, Fairview, Leasburg and Bourbon and others in other counties.

‘During his pastoral career he built seven church houses in Missouri and two in Oklahoma. He has no doubt married more couples and preached more funerals than any other preacher in the state.

“Luther Evans took a picture of those of the party who were over 65 years of age. There were about 20 of them. Among the oldest of whom were: Wm. Barton, Eld. J.W. King, Judge Thomas Reeves, Rev. M.A. Clayton, E. King, Mrs. Harriet King, Susan Bish, Mrs. M. Clayton, Mayor Samuel Blair, John West, Joseph Jones, Mrs. Jones, W.G. Stevens, Mrs. Stevens, Mr. S.D. McCormick, Mr. Allen. Wm. Barton, J.W. King, E. King and Harriet King are his brothers and sister-in-law.

From The Brevard News, July 29, 1921

Thursday, July 29, 2021

While Crowd Watched, Rock Quarry Pumped Almost Dry, Aug. 12, 1921

Little Revealed by Draining Hole. . . Many Thousands Visit Hole But Get Scant Satisfaction—Summer Quiet Reigns in Raleigh

By M.L. Shipman

Raleigh, N.C., August 8—Mid-summer presents the usual quietude around the capitol building and in the city of Raleigh itself. A number of State officials and departmental clerks are away on their vacations and the excessive heat here recently is accountable in a large measure for the decreasing number of visitors from the surrounding country.

Draining the old Rock Quarry has held the center of the state the past week and the real life of the city has been transferred to the “pumping station” at the eastern terminal of Davie Street, where crowds of the curious have assembled daily to see the pumps in operation. The pumps were at work day and night for a week, before exposing the bottom to the scorching rays of an August sun.

The pool has been dumping ground for years and the mass of junk found at the bottom represents contributions from practically every class and condition of humanity, moral and depraved. Garbage from the city’s sanitary department added to mysterious packages from evil hands constitute a collection of debris which is difficult to describe. Visitors are allowed to view the scenes from a distance, but instructed to touch nothing taken from the big hole which as provoked so much discussion for the past three weeks.

By actual count 4,800 automobiles, bringing (brought) approximately 20,000 people to and from this Raleigh “curiosity” yesterday. Little was to be seen except a deep muddy hole in the earth with considerable filthy water still on the bottom. Many brought lunches and made a day of the trip. Few counties in the state were without representation. The lake has revealed “hidden mysteries” rather slowly. The cushion of an automobile seat, a brass dog-chain with rock attached and a wooden box enclosing a charred tow-sack containing a decaying object emitting an unpleasant odor and in such a state of discomposure as to preclude the possibility of identifications as about all that has been fished out of the pond except the “lost or stolen” automobiles brought to light three weeks ago. Solicitor Norris is taking all strange objects in hand and may start some investigations when the entire contents of this old quarry have been exposed.

From the front page of The Brevard News, Friday, August 12, 1921

Old Rock Quarry to Be Drained to Reveal Mysteries, Aug. 5, 1921

Pumping Pool for Hidden Mysteries . . . Six and One Half Million Gallons of Water Will Be Taken From Hole at Old Rock Quarry

Raleigh, August 1—The old Rock Quarry sensation has subsided somewhat until Saturday when it became known that the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds decided at a meeting held Friday afternoon to have the 6 ½ million gallons of water pumped out so that the public may see whatever is hidden beneath its dark green surface. The work of draining the pool began today. State Prison labor and Highway Commission equipment will be utilized in the undertaking and the operations are to continue until the bottom of the quarry is laid bare to public view. Superintendent W.T. Terry of the Public Buildings and Grounds Committee will have immediate supervision of the work and it is believed that by the end of the week the task will have been accomplished.

There is said to be from 30 to 70 feet of water in the pool and that the pumping apparatus will have a capacity of 1,600 gallons per minute, that 100 hours will be required in reaching the bottom, where it is believed, more than one mystery has for years been concealed. When the city authorities of Raleigh let it be known that they were not in a position to drain the quarry, from which not less than four abandoned automobiles had been drawn, and pointed out that it was State property anyway, Governor Morrison, now summering in Asheville, was appealed to and “passed the buck” to the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. The board is composed of the Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer and the Attorney General, and has supervision of all public buildings and state property generally at the state capital. A superintendent is elected every two years by this committee to handle details, so that the Board itself serves in an advisory capacity, as well as being the executive head.

Preliminary steps toward draining of the lake were taken Saturday afternoon when Chairman Frank Page of the State Highway Commission, Chas. Farman, Raleigh Fire Chief, George R. Pou, superintendent of the State Prison, and W.T. Teny, superintendent of the State Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, went out and began an actual survey of the unusual task before them. An irrigation ditch will carry the water to a nearby creek, so that adjacent property will not be flooded as the pumping proceeds. With the use of State Highway equipment and State convict labor the outlay of actual cash in drying the lake will be comparatively small. The demand that it be drained became insistent and the authorities could not afford to ignore it. So far, no arrests have been made on account of the automobiles hidden there. What the bottom of this immense hole may reveal is a matter yet to be determined. Recent revelations at this old quarry has been the talk of the State for the past two weeks and will continue to be until Frank Page and George Pou have completed their part of the program a few days hence.

From the front page of The Brevard News, Friday, August 5, 1921

Three More Cars Pulled From Old Quarry in Raleigh, July 29, 1921

Old Rock Quarry Disgorges Secrets. . . Autos Fished from Waters of Hole Cause Raleigh Citizens to Speculate About Dark Deeds

By M. L. Shipman

Raleigh, N.C., July 25—The sensation of the week in this city grew out of the discovery of abandoned automobiles in the waters of Old Rock Quarry in East Raleigh on information furnished to representatives of two or three insurance companies who had been rather busy of late adjusting claims for “lost or stolen” cars. This quarry is an immense hole from which the granite was taken some 80 years ago to construct the new capitol building. Since that time the city has utilized great quantities of the fine material to be fund there in street paving and for other purposes. This now famous old hole is said to contain 70 feet of water which the Raleigh public believes to sheath many hidden mysteries. Along down the years people have been murdered and thrown into this receptacle for the dead and more than one lifeless body has been lifted from the dark recesses of its shrouded enclosures.

Every day during the week crowds of people, numbering from 3,000 to 5,000, have assembled around the Quarry to watch the divers whose efforts have so far resulted in fishing out a Hudson super-six, a Cole, a King, and a Ford from the 70 feet of water into which they had been driven, presumably, with the idea of collecting insurance. Two of them have been identified as belonging to local people, but no arrests have been made as of Monday morning. There is talk of draining this big pool in order that its contents may be revealed, but a definite conclusion on this suggestion has not been reached. The consensus of opinion is that many dark deeds are concealed there. This hole has a black and weird history, which is now being recalled by the elder citizens of Raleigh, who would like to have their impressions verified, while the insurance companies are interested in the financial feature of the drainage suggestion.

From the front page of The Brevard News, July 29, 1921

How Sidney Kincaid Killed His Wife, July 28, 1921

Prominent Citizen of Burke Murders Wife. . . Sidney Kincaid, County Commissioner, Horrifies County—His Wife’s Throat Cut

Morganton, July 19—A member of the board of county commissioners, in jail charged with wife murder, is the new blot on Burke county’s record, the crime being directly traceable to blockade liquor. Sidney A. Kincaid, well-to-do farmer and merchant, is held for the murder of his wife last night at their home at Chesterfield, six miles from Morganton. The death instrument was a short-handled knife which Mrs. Kincaid was accustomed to using to peel fruit and vegetables.

The story of the tragedy is one of the most horrifying that has ever come from this section of the state. In former years Mr. Kincaid had been a drinking, reckless man but, due largely, it is said, to his wife’s influence, he had apparently reformed and his reformation was considered so complete that he had won the respect of his community and was elected last fall to membership on the cunty board. He was a good business man and had accumulated property to the value of probably $30,000.

Recently he had gone to drinking again, this grieving and worrying his wife who was devoted to him, and who thought of only how she might break him of the habit. She worked within the store they conducted at Chesterfield, which is not more than 50 yards from their beautiful country home. They had no children, but shared the home with Mrs. Kincaid’s mother, Mrs. Bettie Davis, and an invalid brother of Mr. Kincaid. According to the neighbors and Mrs. Davis, supper was prepared as usual last night and Mrs. Kincaid went repeatedly to the store to get Mr. Kincaid to come to the evening meal. She knew he was drinking, it is said, and probably wanted to get him home on that account. She and Mrs. Davis sat on the porch at the front of the house waiting for him. A salesman who wanted to demonstrate a lightning arrangement for the house waited for a while but finally left.

Shortly after 10 o’clock Mr. Kincaid came from the store, Mrs. Davis says, and went around the house and as he did so her daughter went through the hall to meet him and give him his supper, saying as she went, “Oh, will I have to put up with drunkness in the home again?” Mrs. Davis heard them talking on the back porch, she stated, and, though she could not distinguish what was said, the tones of their voices indicated that Mrs. Kincaid was remonstrating with her husband for drinking again. Mrs. Davis was attracted by what she described as a gurgling sort of noise and hurried to the porch to see what was happening. As she reached the hall door, she said, Mr. Kincaid had his hands around Mrs. Kincaid’s neck as if choking her and she rushed to them, asking, “Sidney, why are you choking Lillie?” As she pulled his hand away the warm blood gushed on her hand and Mrs. Kincaid fell, Mrs. Davis crying out, “You have killed Lillie, Sidney!” Summoning just strength to say “No, he hasn’t,” Mrs. Kincaid gasped her last.

Evidently realizing what had happened and sobered by the realization, the unhappy man threw himself down beside his wife and covered her hands and face with kisses, his moans and screams arousing the whole community, according to Mrs. Davis’ story. Neighbors were on the scene almost immediately, and they said that he acted like a wild man. They held him to keep him from carrying out his threats of self-destruction. He himself suggested that the sheriff be sent for and when officers arrived went with them willingly. Today he has begged piteously for the privilege of seeing his wife’s face just once more before she is buried.

Solicitor Huffman is in court in Lincolnton but is expected home tonight to arrange for the preliminary hearing.

Mrs. Kincaid’s funeral will be held tomorrow morning at Mount Pleasant church, Chesterfield. Though no violence to Mr. Kincaid is expected, it is doubtful that the solicitor will allow the request that has been made that he attend the funeral.

This morning the knife with which Mrs. Kincaid was stabbed was found in the yard near the back porch. The doctor’s examination showed that the jugular vein had been cut and though the wound on the neck on the left side was not long, it was deep. It is reported that it is not thought that Mr. Kincaid was choking his wife after he had cut her with the knife, which in his drunken anger he had seized from the porch shelf where it was kept, but that as he drew the knife out he came in a way to his senses and was attempting to stanch the flow of blood. HI is clothing was literally soaked with his wife’s blood.

From The Mount Airy News, July 28, 1921

Will Bodies, Cars Be Found When Old Quarry Is Drained? July 28, 1921

Fish Automobile From 50 Feet of Water. . . Raleigh Insurance Men Back Suspicion and Find Car While 500 Look On

Raleigh, July 18—North Carolina’s granite bed from which was quarried the state capitol delivered a Hudson super-six this afternoon from a depth of 50 feet of water, and a license plate number 84 showed it had been the property of Wilton Muse, Raleigh.

With the discovery the city is moved to pump the abysmal hole dry enough to see how many machines, babies and grownups lie at the bottom. One subscription of $100 has been made and Fire Chief Hubert Horton thinks he can turn the trick in 48 hours with the city’s engine. The police superintended the fishing party of 500 this afternoon. From the top of the city’s skyscraper bank buildings scores watched the party more than a mile away. The insurance men who have been paying heavy theft damages suspected the quarry hole as the auto limbo. Divers with only bathing suits as paraphernalia negotiated the distance and hooked cables to the big machine which came up with two dozen tugging at it. They pulled it far enough out to see the number. Young Muse was present and watched the resurrection of his machine bought last year and insured, it is said, for $2,500.

Moral certainty that a King eight and a Ford have been caught leads police to hope for at least two more deliveries tomorrow. Not only do insurance men believe that the rockbed is full of machines, perhaps 25; they believe also that the human wreckage may exceed the mechanical. Two dead men have been found there in the past. It once was a fashionable suicide resort, occasionally a failure being recorded.

The police do not know how came the insurance men to suspect the old quarry. It took much persuasion to send the divers there. L. Francis, motorcycle salesman, artist, and swimmer, did the diving. Once the machine caught deep under the water, whereupon he dived to the steering wheel, turned it, and change the machine’s course. When it emerged from the water, he was riding it.

The police now think that the notorious Kelly, who has been tried in the local courts, was at the head of the automobile gang which mystified all officer wherever they went early in the present year, and late in the last. The unusual demand for auto insurance added to the suspicion that not all the machines have been taken by thieves.

The rock quarry is ideally situated for drowning machines. Chief Glenn thinks the method of pushing autos into the water was the use of high speed rather than shoving. The men would open the throttle, stand on the running board, and leap before the machine plunged. By that method no marks were left on the banks.

That the Hudson did not reach the bottom in 60-foot water is apparent to diver Francis who thinks he did not go deeper than 20 feet. The machine doubtless rested on another and there may be others under both. Continued search tomorrow is expected to bring up others.

From The Mount Airy News, July 28, 1921

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Saint Luke AME Zion Church, Wilmington, N.C., July 28, 1921

Photo from the church's Facebook page shows Saint Luke's AME Zion Church in Wilmington in 2020.

Reopening Day in Wilmington

Wilmington, N.C., is a city put on the map by both a happy and an unhappy past. When John C. Dancy was Collector of Customs here he held the highest Federal office in the state and Negroes were occupying positions of every rank in the city. The so-called riot of 1898 was the end of it all.

In spite of this there are as many colored people here now as there were before the race trouble, and they live in good homes. Fifteen thousand there are and they are fairly prosperous. But there is not a newspaper or public official among them, except the leaders in church, education and fraternities. And yet the people are happy and love their city.

We spent Sunday with Rev. E. L. Madison in his reopening at St. Luke, This is the largest Zion congregation between Washington and Montgomery. The church was founded by Bishop J.W. Hood and 13 members in 1865 upon his first visit there. The present building was erected 46 years ago. It was the first brick church built by colored people for worship in the State. The pastor was Rev. J.H. Hooper. Rev. J.B. Small preached the dedication sermon and Rev. J.W. Hood was the chief hand in the direction of affairs. Among the chief men in the congregation was the building committee composed of Messrs. Anthony Ellis, Louis Sheridan, David Williams, John W. Moore, Henry B. Green, Harris Ellis, J.R. Hill, Jas. Winfield, Geo. Allen and Rev. W.J. Moore. Others who pastored this church were Rev. J.W. Hood, W.J. Moore, J.H. Lomax, J.B. Small, W.J. Moore, H. Bell, P.L. Kyles, H. Blalock, G.L. White, W.L. Lee, J. Francis Lee and L.W. Kyles.

The present pastor is the Rev. E.L. Madison. It has more than 1,300 members and will seat 1,500 people. No auditorium in North Carolina will equal it in capacity except St. Peters at New Bern.

It is one of the best organized churches we have and on last Sunday the building was crowded all day.

At a cost of $2,500 the building has been decorated and renewed. It presents both a scene of grandeur and beauty.

A great pipe organ blowing, the choir singing and the people crowding the pews is the picture that inspires this word. Dr. Madison is the man for the place. Versatile, alert, profound, eloquent, industrious and uniquely spiritual, he is a magnet in the midst of a city. The people hang on his words. Few men have his vocabulary and daring. He makes friends for his cause both in his admirable ability and activity for the race wherever he resides.

For three years he has been bereft of as true and faithful a wife as any minister could wish. He has been a dutiful and constant director of his children’s lives, taking the place of both mother and father and is rearing a genuinely fine family and giving them an education to equal the best of this generation.

Two weeks ago in their rally $1,500 was raised an on reopening Sunday $350 was raised to supplement it. The Sunday School augmented the collection with $200.

Messrs. Ludlow, Bissell, Smith, Moore and Jervay are among the men who go forward with their pastor in this great field.

The Sunday School ranks with the largest of the State. Dr. Madison has pastored in all the large cities of North Carolina save two. In Asheville, Charlotte and Greensboro he took an outstanding position for our common cause of extending Zion and the Kingdom.

He is remembered everywhere as one of the best preachers who ever occupied a pulpit in the city. He is especially helpful to the small churches where he pastors. He is working hard and needs rest, and his people who claim him for at least three years longer, until the close of the quadrennium, are planning to give him a vacation.

The doctor is both a man of means and is equal to any task the church gives him.

From The Star of Zion, Charlotte, N.C., July 28, 1921

Mrs. Dora Jones Has Passed, July 28, 1921

MRS. DORA JONES

Charlotte--Mrs. Dora Jones of Charlotte departed this life July 5th, and was buried on the 12th. Funeral services were held at Clinton Metropolitan church, Rev. M.D. Smith officiating. She was 51 years of age and was a faithful member of the above named church for many years.

Her remains were held eight days on account of the arrival of her son, Barney McCoy, from Portland, Oregon.

She leaves to mourn their loss three sons, Barney McCoy, William and Ralph Jones, and a host of friends.

From The Star of Zion, Charlotte, N.C., July 28, 1921

Condensed News From Old North State Published July 28, 1921

Condensed News From the Old North State

Lincolnton—The Wampum cotton mill of this city will start up night work some time during the week.

Winston-Salem—The county health officer reports that during the past week over 1,300 persons were given the anti-typhoid vaccine in this county.

Durham—Five estimated to have done damage of $100,000 completely destroyed five buildings and badly damaged two others in Roxboro.

Wadesboro—Rev. C.A. Wood, the popular pastor of the Methodist church of this city, had the misfortune to break his right arm while cranking his automobile.

Charlotte—The body of Joseph Orr, the first Charlotte man to lose his life in the world war, has reached New York and is expected to arrive in Charlotte shortly.

Asheville—Dewey, the 8-year-old son of West Patton of Canton, accidently took hold of a live wire and his hand was so badly burned that surgeons decided to amputate it.

Winston-Salem—Thurman Coffey, 15-year-old boy, died at a local hospital here as the result of injuries received several days ago when he fell from his bicycle and was run over by an automobile.

Davidson—The funeral services of Louise, the oldest daughter of Rev. E.C. Irvin of Glade Valley, were conducted here. The young girl, about 12 years of age, was killed in an automobile accident.

Asheville—The Asheville and East Tennessee railroad will cease operation within 60 days unless there is a decided increase in the amount of patronage, according to a statement by Reginald Howland, treasurer of the company.

Winston-Salem—Chester Allen, 16-year-old colored boy, died at a hospital from a pistol shot wound fired by Jesse McKnight, colored.

Kinston—The Kinston Poultry association held a chicken stew and fry at Lakeside, three miles from here.

Elizabeth City—Plans for the establishment of a Community Hospital at Elizabeth City are now taking definite form.

Durham—A $50,000 church hut, designed to fill the recreational and social needs of the church, is to be erected by the First Presbyterian Church of this city.

Weldon—A very disastrous fire occurred at Roanoke Rapids when the handsome brick, stone-trimmed building occupied and operated as a pulp or paper product mill was burned.

Hickory—Ten boys and girls holding membership in Catawba country clubs made a net profit of $2,913.72 last year, according to reports submitted at the first annual encampment. [These country clubs were later known as 4-H Clubs.]

Lexington—John L,. Casper has turned from selling groceries to his old love, making corn whiskey. He is now engaged in erecting a $250,000 distillery at Villa De Cuna, a town of 1,500 people.

Lenoir—Around 1,800 men, women and children were “shot” in Lenoir, hypodermically, with the anti-toxin treatment, via the vaccination route, for the prevention of typhoid and diphtheria.

Asheville—A summer capital for North Carolina will be transferred to Asheville and government matters will be handled from this city until September, according to announcement of Governor Morrison.

Kinston—Residents of Browntown, a negro community in Greene county, are disturbed over the appearance of a bear in the place on several occasions recently. The animal has been seen by two or three persons.

Newton—Judge Henry H. Lane sentenced Abner Brinkley to five years in the penitentiary and Fred Brinkley, his brother, to two years in the penitentiary. The Brinkleys were convicted of the killing of Homer Barringer last summer.

Charlotte—John P. Collier of Houston, Texas, who came here in February in the interest of the Ku Klux Klan and who has been active in forming a chapter of the clan, died at a local hotel, where he had been stopping for several months.

From The Alamance Gleaner, Graham, N.C., July 28, 1921

Reckless Driving Kills Two, July 28, 1921

Alamance Boys in Auto Wreck

Last Saturday afternoon, as a result of reckless driving, a big auto was wrecked near Chapel Hill, when two were killed, Ralph Webster, aged 20, son of J.W. Webster of Burlington, and J.E. Marin of Durham. Three others were seriously hurt, Leon Bell, Ben Thompson and Lewis Allen. The homes of the last two are in Southern Alamance near Snow Camp. The boys, it appears, had spent the day in Alamance, but worked in Durham. In attempting to pass another car at high speed, the car struck a side ditch. The driver, an Assyrian, was arrested and lodged in jail.

From The Alamance Gleaner, Graham, N.C., July 28, 1921

Local and Personal News From Alamance Gleaner, July 28, 1921

Local News

--A most welcome shower fell here Tuesday afternoon. It rained about one hour, starting shortly after 1 o’clock.

--The County Commissioners will meet in regular monthly session next Monday, it being the first Monday of August.

--The hard-surface road from Trollingwood to Haw River is almost completed. It is understood that it will take only four or five days longer to complete putting down the concrete.

--Mr. Robt. G. Rainey was called to Durham Monday on account of the serious illness of his father, Mr. James Rainey, who died Monday night and was buried Tuesday afternoon.

--Dr. Daniel Albright Long preached a very interesting and instructive sermon at the Graham Christian church last Sunday, filling the pulpit of Rev. F.C. Lester, who was away helping in a protracted service.

--Work on the additions to Graham Graded School building is well along. The walls are up and the roof is on, and the workmen are now busy on the interior work. Messrs. A.B. Nicholson & son have the contract and are pushing the work. They expect to have it completed, ready for the opening of school in the early fall.

--The contractors are making good progress on putting in the sewer system for Graham. The sewer pipes are laid as fast as the ditching is completed. Weather conditions have been most favorable for the work. On the outlet toward Haw River, on the east, beyond the town limits, solid rock has been encountered in places and progress is necessarily slow.

--This morning at 7:45 a large number of the Baptists and others left on a picnic excursion to the Baptist Orphanage at Thomasville. The two Baptist churches in Burlington furnished about 500 for this excursion.

--Mrs. Fannie Horn, widow of Abel Horne, died last Thursday, 21st inst., at her home near Haw River, aged 77 years, 4 months and 19 days. The remains were buried at Long’s Chapel on Friday.

--The members of Co. I, First Regt., and the Graham Medical Corps of the N.C. National Guards returned Monday from encampment at Camp Glenn, Morehead City. The boys appear to be in fine condition, and they report a good time.

--Mr. Freeman Coley of Burlington and Miss Annie Boone, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Boone of Graham, gave their friends a big surprise Sunday night. They were united in marriage by Mr. Walter M. Euliss, J.P. Here’s wishing them long life, happiness and prosperity.

--Burlington and Mebane had a “set-to” at baseball last Friday and Saturday. On Friday at Burlington, Mebane won by a score of 3 to 5, and at Mebane on Saturday Mebane won again, score 11 to 3. Yesterday Burlington played Reidsville at the latter’s place. Friday Burlington plays Schoolfield at Schoolfield. Saturday Burlington plays Reidsville at Burlington.

Personal

Mr. Julian E. Sellars of Pleasant Grove township was in town Tuesday.

Mrs. Junius H. Harden left last night for Philadelphia to consult a specialist.

Messrs. B.N. Turner and Chas. E. Moore spent Monday afternoon in Greensboro.

Mr. A. Lacy Holt and Master Fred left Saturday for Wrightsville and returned Monday.

Miss Siddie Moore of Shelby arrived here Tuesday on a visit to Miss Annie Hunter.

Miss Blanche Webster of Burlington spent the week-end here with Mrs. W.W. Garrett.

Miss Mattie G. Long spent last week with Misses Nell and Alberta Thompson in Mebane.

Miss Mattie Evans of Danville, Va., arrived here Monday on a visit to Miss Conley Albright.

Mrs. H.H. Simpson of Haw River spent Sunday here with her daughter, Mrs. E. Lee Henderson.

Mrs. W.W. Phillips left Sunday for Asheville, where she will spend 10 days with friends.

Miss Mary Catherine Holt returned Tuesday from a visit to her sister, Mrs. Roy Long, in HIckory.

Mrs. W.R. Goley left last Saturday for Jackson Springs to visit her daughter, Mrs. Geo. R. Ross.

Miss Jeannette and Master Banks Simpson of Greensboro spent Sunday here with Mrs. E.L. Henderson.

Miss Helen Sumner, who has been visiting Mrs. Will E. White, left yesterday for her home in Salisbury.

Miss Estelle Brown of Hillsboro will arrive tomorrow to spend the week-end with Miss Jessie Phillips.

Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Donnell of Greensboro were guests at the home of Mr. And Mrs. Frank Moore last night.

Miss Annie Watson Moore spent Saturday and Sunday in Greensboro with her sister, Miss Fannie D. Moore.

Maj. J.J. Henderson left last night for Washington on business and expects to return tomorrow morning.

Mr. J.N.H. Clendenin left the latter part of last week for Wilmington, to visit his son, Mr. Geo. L. Clendenin.

Mrs. W.R. Perry and daughter, Miss Lorena, returned Monday from spending several days at Wrightsville Beach.

Miss Lucile Holmes returned Monday evening from Kenansville where she spent 10 days as a member of a house-party.

Messrs. Edgar Long and J.P. McAdams, Dr. Herbert S. Long and his young brother David spent last Friday at Pinehurst.

Mrs. J.J. Barefoot and Masters Jack and Bill of Raleigh arrived here Tuesday evening on a visit to Mrs. R.L. Holmes.

Mrs. W.S. Coulter of Burlington spent the latter part of last week here at the home of her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Will S. Long.

Mrs. W.M. Liner and daughter, Miss Agnes, returned yesterday from a visit of two weeks to her son, Mr. O.F. Liner, at Greenwood, S.C.

Mr. and Mrs. Chas. W. Causey and children of Greensboro spent Sunday here with Mrs. Causey’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Scott Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Will E. White left this morning for Morganton, where Mrs. White will spend the month of August. Mr. White will spend the week-end.

Mrs. J. Dolph Long and Master George returned last week from a visit to the former’s parents, Dr. and Mrs. Geo. S. Attmore at Stonewall near New Bern.

Mrs. Wilkinson and son, Mr. Clair Wilkinson, of Ridgeville, and Mrs. Dave Mebane of Mebane spent this morning at Mrs. G.L. Walker’s in passing through to Greensboro.

Mrs. Allen B. Thompson returned last Friday from a business trip to Hamlet, Rockingham, Jackson Springs, Asheboro and other points in the interest of Alamance Broom Co. [Unusual for a woman to be a traveling salesman; might have been a typo.]

Misses Lala Browning of Graham and Latha Stockard of Graham No. 1, who have been attending school at N.C. College for Women, Greensboro, returned home Tuesday.

Mr. and Mrs. G.O. Rogers and little daughter of Raeford arrived last Saturday on a visit to Mr. Rogers’ parents, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. S. Rogers, south of Graham. Mr. Rogers is County Superintendent of Schools of Hoke County.

Mrs. P.A. Mitchell of Troy, N.C., is spending a few days here with her brother, Mr. J.D. Albright.

Mrs. E.J. Lester and son, Rev. F.C. Lester, left Sunday for their old home in Rockingham, near which Mr. Lester is engaged in a protracted meeting this week. Mr. Lester aided in a protracted meeting at Henderson last week.

Mrs. G.L. Walker and daughter, Miss Mary, have returned from a visit of several weeks to Mrs. Walker’s son, Mr. Will B. Walker, in New York. While in New York, Miss Walker will attend the World’s Christian Endeavor Conference.

Mrs. Walter R. Harden and two young daughters, Elizabeth and Annie Ruth, and Miss Lois Harden spent last Saturday in Greensboro, and Miss Elizabeth Craven of that city returned with them for a visit to Misses Elizabeth and Annie Ruth Harden.

Miss Nina Holt, the clerk and stenographer in the County Superintendent’s office, left this morning for a two weeks’ vacation. She will visit her sister, Mrs. Roy Long, in Hickory, and another sister, Mrs. W.D. Reaves in Greenville, S.C. Miss Holt will be accompanied to Hickory by Miss Margaret Hunter.

On last Thursday afternoon Mrs. J.B. Montgomery gave little Miss Virginia Harden a birthday party. It was her 12th anniversary and she had quite a company of her little friends with her. Refreshments were served.

Mr. Ray Harden had a number of his young lady and boy friends with him at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter R. Harden, Tuesday evening. It was the celebration of his 19th anniversary, which fell on the 23rd. Refreshments were served and an enjoyable evening was spent.

From The Alamance Gleaner, Graham, N.C., July 28, 1921

Kitchen Fire at Mr. J.S. Cook's Home, July 28, 1921

Small Fire at Mr. J.S. Cook’s

About 1 o’clock last Saturday afternoon the fire alarm was turned in for a small blaze at Mr. J.S. Cook’s home on South Main Street. Evidently a spark had fallen from the kitchen flue on the dry shingle room, and when it started it was not long in coming to a blaze. When first discovered the blaze was between one and two feet high. Neighbors ran in and had it under control when the firemen arrived. The damage was slight, but undisturbed a few minutes a big blaze would have developed in a very short while.

From The Alamance Gleaner, Graham, N.C., July 28, 1921

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Reports of Famine Ridiculous, July 27, 1921

Laziness Only Reason for Anybody to Starve in North Carolina. . . Famine Stories Ridiculous

The only reason a man might have for starving or even becoming hungry in any part of North Carolina is because he is too lazy to gather the food that nature provides, declare members of the official family in Raleigh today in branding as absolutely too ridiculous for comment the suggestion of President Harding that the Red Cross investigate the stories sent out to the effect that people in many parts of the South, including North Carolina, were on the verge of starvation. The general warning, sent out by the public health service as to the spread of pellagra in the cotton belt, is not applicable to North Carolina. The people of the cotton belt are not especially flush with ready money now, but they have plenty to eat.

“Come down and visit us. We have mighty little money, but plenty of something to eat, and we buy gasoline on credit if needs be,” which was the invitation an eastern man recently extended to an uplander, is typical of the situation in the cotton belt, these officials and public health officers declare.

“Pellegra is not a reportable disease in North Carolina, and there is, therefore, no way of checking up the number of cases except through the number of deaths reported,” declares R.B. Wilson of the publicity bureau of the health department today. “For the first six months of 1921 there was a decrease of 13 in the number of deaths from this cause in North Carolina,” he continued. “A decrease is shown for each month up to June, which month showed an increase of four deaths from pellagra. The total number of deaths reported for 1920 as having been caused by pellagra was 297. The total number reported for the first six months of 1921 was 116. If the same average is maintained for the remaining six months of the year, the net decrease will be 65 deaths from this cause.”

While pellagra is generally regarded by the authorities as a nutritional disease, which might be caused by the business depression and lack of work in industrial communities, which would prevent the people getting as nutritious food in as large quantities as they needed, the board of health has found no reason for believing that the tremendous business depression prevalent in North Carolina for the past six months has caused any increase in pellagra. The folks are not so badly off as that even if they are not making the money they did a year or two ago.

From The Charlotte News, July 27, 1921. Researchers had not discovered that pellagra is caused by a lack of niacin in the diet. It could affect anyone with a diet that lacked niacin, which caused by starvation but more commonly by restricted diets. After the cause was discovered, flour was enriched with niacin to prevent pellagra.

While Pellagra Is On Increase, Southerners Not Starving, Says Dr. McPhaul, July 27, 1921

Pellagra Is On Increase Here. . . City Health Officer Says, However, Washington Report Is Exaggerated

Although considering reports of the United States public health service regarding a pellagra epidemic in the South to be greatly exaggerated. Dr. W.A. McPhaul, city health officer, believes that there will be a marked increase in the number of cases this year.

Several cases are on record in Charlotte and eight deaths have resulted here so far this year from pellagra. The total number of deaths for the entire 12 months of last year was only eight, while the number in 1919 was 13.

A negro sufferer from pellagra was undergoing treatment at the city health offices when The News representative called on Dr. McPhaul Wednesday morning. The department is treating three or four charity cases, while Miss Smith, one of the nurses, has rendered assistance to numerous pellagra patients, particularly in the North Charlotte section.

Federal health authorities base their predictions upon investigation into living conditions among the poorer classes of the south, and Dr. McPhaul ventured the suggestion that a careful investigation like had been made. He thinks, however, that the report on conditions is greatly exaggerated, and that the appeal of President Harding added sensationalism to a condition which is not serious.

Among All Classes

Pellagra occurs among all cases of people, but principally among the poor who are unable to provide themselves with proper food, unbalanced rations causing most of the cases. The disease develops slowly, and one does not know if its presence until symptoms appear by the condition of the skin. One usually has a soreness of the mouth, followed by a darkening of the skin after the disease has gained headway.

The pellagra patient, whom The News representative saw, had sores about the mount, and her arms were black, standing out in contrast against her chocolate-colored skin. The disease is cured principally through dieting although remedies are given under a physician’s direction. The skin of a white person who has pellagra will appear to have been badly sunburned, Dr. McPaul said.

Pellagra epidemics come and go with hard times, Dr. McPaul said. In the South there was a decrease during prosperous years, and during period of depression, when the poorer classes found difficulty in obtaining food, the number of cases showed a big increase.

Prevalent In Cities

Dr. McPaul is of the opinion that the disease would be prevalent in largest numbers in the cities. In the rural sections most persons have gardens and are thereby enabled to obtain a variety of food. Many families in the cities live for days on one kind of food, he said.

Strikes accompanied by suffering are likely to result in the development of pellagra cases as strikers mus deny themselves of all but the coarsest kinds of food. Dr. McPaul said that in mill villages of this section which he has visited the operatives were fund to eat wholesome food and to live with the possibilities of new cases developing in local strike centers was considered problematical as it is slow of development and even if cases did develop, it would be virtually impossible to trace them directly in a shortage of food among strikers.

From The Charlotte News, July 27, 1921

After Shooting Wife, Ed Sneed Goes to Sunday School, July 1921

Kills Wife; Went to Sunday School

Wilmington, July 27—Brunswick county authorities today charged that after shooting his wife to death and throwing the body in a swamp last Sunday morning, Ed. Sneed, negro, of Northwest township, Brunswick county, proceeded to the Sunday school of which he is superintendent, and calmly directed the services. The body of his wife was discovered while Sunday school was in progress and Sneed was arrested by Sheriff Lewis.

From The Charlotte News, July 27, 1921

Home Demonstration Club Girls To Enjoy Camp, July 27, 1921

County Girls Will Go on Camping Trip

The girls who are members of home demonstration clubs in Mecklenburg county will enjoy a camping trip in the second week of August at Camp Latta. They will go to the camp and remain three days.

The girls will have the full advantage of all camp facilities while they are on the ground, including the swimming pool, physical director, and other features. The rates for each girl at the encampment will be $3, but the Y.W.C.A. will accept chicken and eggs at market price.

Miss Maude Wallace, assistant in home demonstration work in the State, will be at the encamp. Miss Marion Davis, home demonstration agent for the county, will also be present. Girls who are expecting to attend the encampment are expected to write Miss Davis at the home demonstration office at the courthouse.

From The Charlotte News, July 27, 1921. Home demonstration club girls would later be called 4-H'ers.

Miss Lillie Hill, 17, Dies From Typhoid, July 26, 1921

Miss Lillie Hill Dies From Typhoid

Indian Trail, July 26—Miss Lillie Hill, 17-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe C. Hill of this community, is dead following an attack of typhoid fever.

She is survived by her parents, three sisters and four brothers, the sisters being Mrs. Sanford Morris of Mint Hill, Mrs. Lonnie Fowler of Monroe, and Miss Pearl Hill of the home place. The brothers are James T. Hill of Charlotte, Ernest, Charles and Boyce Hill of this section. She took an active part in church and Sunday school work, and had many friends, and will be missed in the community.

From The Charlotte News, July 26, 1921

Farm Families to Join Their Children for Picnic At End of Club Camp, July 1921

Gaston Farmers to Have Picnic. . . Club Camp at Riverside, With General Picnic to be Held Friday

Gastonia, July 26—Mount Holly will be the Mecca of Gaston county farmers next Friday. As the date for the agricultural club encampment and the farmers’ picnic draws near all indications point to a still larger attendance than was anticipate. With O. Max Gardner and congressman A. Lee Bulwinkle and several prominent Gaston County men secured as speakers, with a number of recreational features planned, and with many of their children already there for the club encampment, the picnic is expected to draw the largest crowd of farmers that has ever assembled in the county.

The picnic Friday promises to be the biggest event of the week in the county. Among Gaston County men who will speak are Messrs. W.T. Rankin, J.G. Carpenter, A.C. Jones and C.E. Hutchinson. Among this last are included several men who are successful farmers, as well as speakers. O. Max Gardner is said to be the biggest cotton farmer in the State as well as one of the best orators. Mr. Wiley T. Rankin is president of the Riverside Farm and knows farming as he does the cotton mill business. The type of speakers that has been selected gives promise of something interesting for the farmers.

Exercises will begin at 10 o’clock in the morning and will continue through the day. Mr. Fred L. Smyre will preside in the morning and Mr. R.G. Rankin in the afternoon.

As to the dinner, Mr. C. Lee Gowan states that a basket dinner will be served in the old fashioned ay, each family inviting their friends and forming community groups about the grounds.

The plans for the encampment have been perfected, and all is ready for the first day’s program, which begins Wednesday morning. Final arrangements have been made with all the instructors and managers, and the exact program of activities has been arranged. Instruction will be given in various kinds of farm work, in physical education, music, dramatics, health, and community activities. Recreation will be afforded in moving pictures, swimming, vaudeville acts, and many other things.

The staff in charge of the camp will include the county agents, Mr. C. Lee Gowan and Miss Helen Millard. Mr. Homer B. Mask, State club agent; Allen C. Oliver, State poultryman; Miss Blanche Heiserman, of the local community service organization; Miss Faye Davenport, county superintendent of public welfare; Miss Harriet Sherman, local Red Cross nurse; Dr. D.A. Garrison, a local physician; and Prof. E.A. Thompson of Mt. Holly. These will be assisted by four club leaders, which are as follows: Mrs. Carl Stroup, Alexis; Mrs. O.L. Rhyne, Mt. Olivet; Miss Chloe Dellinger, Panhandle; and Prof. F.S. Hager, Sunnyside.

The Mt. Holly people are bearing the financial burden of the camp. The amount to cover expenses has been raised by subscription among the Mt. Holly people, who have shown a fine spirit of co-operation in arranging the camp.

Captain Farrington Resting Well After Surgery, July 27, 1921

Policeman Rests Well

Captain J.T. Farrington, veteran member of the Charlotte police department, was reported to be resting well at the Charlotte Sanatorium Wednesday morning following a serious operation at 8 o’clock. Captain Farrington has been seriously ill for some weeks, and the operation was found necessary. Hope was expressed by the physicians that the operation will result in his early recovery. Captain Farrington is known by hundreds of people in Charlotte and vicinity.

From The Charlotte News, July 27, 1921

Monday, July 26, 2021

Deputy Sheriff Al Pate, 55, Killed on Moonshine Raid; Marshall Williams Surrenders; Editorial on Prohibition, July 26, 1921

Deputy Pate of Cumberland Is Killed in Raid. . . Cumberland Sheriff Shot Near Godwin After Fruitful Raid. . . Williams Held On Charge of Killing. . . Deputy Pate Was One of Most Efficient Officers in the County

Fayetteville, July 22—Deputy Sheriff Al Pate, aged 55, shot dead tonight near Godwin by an unknown assassin, was a brave officer and honorable citizen. Three bullets were aimed at the posse of six officers, headed by Sheriff McGeachy, which had just captured a large copper still, but only one of the shots took effect.

The officers had gone on a raiding expedition in the northeastern section of the county, 20 miles from this city, and located the blockade plant about 9 o’clock. They found an army rifle in which the cartridges had jammed, indicating that attendants at the sill had tried without success to open fire on the raiders. In the darkness no one was seen.

After destroying a quantity of blockade material, sometimes called whiskey or beer, the big copper outfit was loaded into Sheriff McGeachy’s automobile in which the officers had come to the place. Four of the officers, including Deputy Pate, had gotten into the car. Sheriff McGeachy and Deputy Sheriff West were on the ground when suddenly a bullet whizzed by West’s head. He and the sheriff dropped to the ground.

Three shots were fired from the bushes and one struck Pate squarely in the back, tearing through his body and killing him instantly. The officers brought the body to the city and the body was prepared for burial.

One week ago a daughter of the deputy sheriff was married to Sergeant Stevens at Camp Bragg and they are now away on their honeymoon. Surviving also are his wife and several other children.

Deputy Sheriff Pate was considered one of the most efficient law enforcement officers in the county. He had served for many years as Deputy Sheriff and was absolutely fearless in the discharge of his duties.

The shooting has aroused intense indignation here against those who carry on this nefarious business of making blockade liquor.

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Fayetteville, July 23—J. Marshall Williams, son of a former county commissioner, who had been sought since last night as the slayer of Deputy Sheriff Al J. Pate, gave himself up to Sheriff N.H. McGeachy at noon today. In response to a telegram from Godwin, the sheriff went to Williams’ home near that place, accompanied by Deputies W.O. Patrick and J.H. Benton and W.W. Bendiman, chief of the Atlantic Coast Line railroad police, where he met the accused in company with his father, Claude Williams. After Williams had surrendered to the sheriff, he was carried to some point not divulged by the officers, but thought to be either Raeford of Lumberton. Young Wiliams’ father went with them.

Williams is married and his home is within sight of the whiskey still where Pate was shot from ambush last night. He is from a respectable family and has been in trouble before.

When Sheriff McGeachy and five deputies approached the still last night they were commanded by blockaders to halt. The officer charged and three men at the still scattered. One of the deputies says that he can indentify the one white man in the party.

After the raiding officers had been fired on from ambush and Pate instantly killed, the sheriff went to Williams’ house in an effort to apprehend him, but his wife declared he had left home in an automobile. Several hours were spent in searching the woods surrounding the scene of the crime, and the whole section was kept under a constant watch until Williams gave himself up.

From the front page of the Dunn Dispatch, July 26, 1921

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Again We Yell

Once more we yell agin the blockader. It looks as if the amount of damage the blockader is doing is unlimited, and the killing of Deputy Pate, the Cumberland officer, by a blockader last week raises the ire of all law abiding citizens. Deputy Pate was an officer of the law that Cumberland was proud of. He held a record for brave and efficient service in the war against the ever mischief making blockader when his work proved his end and decided his mode of death.

It is said that the still which was raided by the Cumberland officers when Deputy Pate was killed has been sitting there in those bushes so near the public highway for as long as two years, and it is also said that the people of Godwin knew all about it. We have read too frequently in recent issues of the daily papers of crimes and tragedies which are the direct result of the stuff made in just such places, and it is not right that people should allow it to go on when they know that the result of drinking this moonshine is too often deadly and tragic.

We sometimes wonder if prohibition is wise, and if, after all, the world would not have been better of saloons still existed in our cities and town. But prohibition is passed, and it is a settled fact that moonshine making is not wise and ought not to be tolerated. Let everyone join in the war, and let up the yell against the traffic.

From the editorial page of The Dunn Dispatch, July 26, 1921, L. Busbee Pope, publisher.

Jack Blue, 105, Still Working on Little River Farm of J.L. Thompson, July 26, 1921

Jack Blue, Colored, Is 105 Years Old, He Says. . . Visits Dunn First Time Since Dunn Had Initial Store

Jack Blue is a negro farmer. He is 105 years old, and he can prove it. He, furthermore, is one of J.L. Thompson’s active farmers, helping tend the Little River farm of Mr. Thompson. He is in good health, gets about like one of the young ‘uns, and as a matter of fact is something of a human curiosity.

Jack came to Dunn yesterday for the first time since the first store was built here. It is the longest trip he has ever taken from home, and he said he got along very well at his old home, and stayed there about all the time. He came to Dunn yesterday after much persuasion by his employer, Mr. Thompson, who brought him here in his car, and introduced him around to the rest of his family and his friends here.

Little old Jack liked Dunn pretty well, but he said the farm suited him. He was a little surprised at the changes made since he was last here. He noticed quite a few improvements have been made, and the old burg seemed to have broadened out a little. But Jack don’t care much about pavement and brick stores and Packard automobiles. He was all in smiles while here but he just as soon be back home.

Jack has marched to the altar three times in his 105 summers and winters, and he has several grownup and married children as the result of his three marriages. He hardly looks to be as old as he is, but he says he can prove it. He was a slave during the civil war and each generation has kept a record f the old negro’s age, and it seems that he really is five years older than a hundred. He has been a tenant on the Thompson farm for several years, and Mr. J.L. says he has known the quaint old negro for a long time.

From the front page of the Dunn Dispatch, July 26, 1921

Green Manning, Killed in Civil War in 1861, Alive and Living in Georgia, July 26, 1921

Returns to Life After 60 Years. . . Pitt County Man Who Enlisted in Confederate Army Was Thought to be Dead

Green Manning, former Pitt county man supposed to have died of illness shortly after enlisting in the confederate army in 1861, has come to life, and information received by Alfred Manning, a brother of the Littlefield section, says he is living in Trintland county, Georgia, and enjoying the best of health on his little farm in that district. The information of his whereabouts came as a great surprise to relatives, as a statement made by Confederate headquarters at Richmond during the Civil war stated that he had died of pneumonia about eight months after his enlistment.

In the letter to his brother, Mr. Manning said he had made repeated efforts to get in touch with his relatives since the war, but never met with any success. He gave a detailed account of his life after enlisting with Captain White who was in command of State troops as they passed through Ballard’s cross roads, this county, for the scene of battle. He remained in service eight months, then he was captured by the Yankees and placed in a Federal prison at Point Lookout, Va.

After the war ended he was released from long confinement in prison and found his way to Georgia. He worked there for many years, during which time he was married. In later years a small farm was acquired out of his hard earnings, where he has remained until the present time. Twelve children bless the union, 10 of whom are still living.

Mr. Manning was about 17 years of age when he enlisted for service in the Confederate army and is 77 today. He has numbers of relatives living in the Littlefield district and Ballard’s cross roads. All are substantial farmers, especially the brother, and it is difficult to understand why the long lost relative didn’t return.

This first information of Mr. Manning’s whereabouts was received in this county several weeks ago. He wrote a letter to county officials, requesting information regarding relatives, and later sent an application for pension due veterans of the Civil War.

From The Greenville Reflector, as reprinted on the front page of The Dunn Dispatch, July 26, 1921. I found a Trinity County in Georgia, but no Trintland County.

Mack Hodges' Hound Dog Killed by Train, July 24, 1921

Train Runs Over Puppy Dog Belonging to Mack Hodges

A little hound dog, belonging to Mack Hodges, crossed the railroad track yesterday morning about 10 o’clock in a happy Sunday jaunt, little realizing the approaching dangers that might come his way.

The little care free puppy started to make his way across the track, hesitated as he reached the middle, switched around, dug his nose in the ground in true dog style, and a moment later was dead.

The wheels of the big engine on the north bound freight train had crushed the life out of the helpless little animal hardly before he had even dreamed that the train was on the track. The body was crushed in two by the front wheels of the huge engine.

From the front page of the Dunn Dispatch, July 26, 1921

Long Gets 8 Months on Roads, Roberts $300 Fine, in Liquor Case, July 26,1921

Lewis Long to Serve 8 Months for Liquor Deal. . . Recorder Gives Road Sentence to Man Reputed to be Whiskey-Ring Leader. . . An Appeal Is Taken. . . Judge and Detectives Warned They Had Better Not Convict Defendant

Lewis Long, reputed to be one of the biggest liquor dealers of this county, was sentenced to eight months on the roads in one case and to pay the costs in another case when tried before Recorder J. Laurence Jones Tuesday. Long’s attorneys, Col. T.L. Kirkpatrick and D.B. Smith, gave notice of an appeal.

Dewey Roberts, confederate of Long’s in the attempt to deliver 12 quarts of liquor at the E.C. Sweeney home, 702 East Morehead street, was given a fine of $300. There was no appeal in this case.

Judge Jones told Roberts, a youth of 22 years, formerly employed at the General Fire Extinguisher Company and now a resident of the Belmont section of the city, that he was exercising every possible leniency in his case with the hope that he could save him from disgrace. Roberts told the recorder he had never been in trouble before and had never gone on any “liquor trips” with Long before the day he was caught.

Attorneys made a vigorous plea for Long after the judge had announced his decision, they declaring the recorder should give every man one chance. They pictured the “gray-haired mother” in the country home, the wife and the 17-year-old daughter as being forced to share the disgrace with Long. Both attorneys grew dramatic as they declared every man in the court room “would be in hell now if it were not for the mercy of God.”

Long Shows Uneasiness

When Col. Kirkpatrick spoke feelingly of the time Long’s mother carried Lewis Long and two other children to the altar for baptism in years gone by, Long showed the first signs of distress of the day. Throughout the hearings of testimony the wrangling of attorneys, Long had taken on the attitude of being bored, as he sat near his attorneys and facing the recorder. But the tender words of Col. Kirkpatrick in connection with the mother brought Long’s eyes to the floor and once he wiped away a tear.

Judge Jones declined to modify his decision after Solicitor Tom Guthrie had declared he was not willing to make a recommendation that it be modified. The solicitor said he would not argue for the decision as announced but could not ask that it be made lighter. Judge Jones sought to have the counsel for State assume some of the burden in the matter of punishment.

Aside from the direct testimony that Long and Roberts were in possession of the liquor when it was about to be delivered at the Sweeney home was the statement of Detectives Moser and West, who “spotted” Long and Roberts, that they had been approached and warned that, if their testimony was strong enough to convict Long, they would lose their jobs on the detective force. It was not indicated as to who issued the warning.

Judge Jones interrupted at this point to say he supposed the detectives had been hearing from the same source from which he had heard. It was learned later that Judge Jones had received an anonymous letter to the effect that it would not be well for him to convict Long and Roberts. Judge Jones made no further comment on this matter and it is understood that he took the matter lightly, much as he has taken other anonymous communications.

Could Not Break Down

Detectives Moser and West proved barriers of evidence for the prosecution which attorneys for the defense were unable to break down. The two officers were put through a heated cross-examination by Colonel Kirkpatrick and Mr. Smith, who attempted for force the statements that the detectives were not positive that Long and Roberts were the men they saw at the Sweeney home. Moser and West held firm in their contentions that they were the two men, disregarding questions of the lawyers which sought to mix them up in their testimony.

First the attorneys thought it peculiar that Moser and West could recognize Long and Roberts owing to the distance between them. Then the difficulty of seeing through a windshield came up, next the possibility of darkening clouds affecting the vision, and last the probability of the detectives being unable to see through the window of the workshop in which they were hiding. The officers did not argue much over the possibilities or probabilities of the vison being affected under such circumstances, but they were positive that it was Long and Roberts whom they saw.

It was during their testimony that the warnings of persons that their jobs would be unsafe if Long was convicted were made known to the court. The detectives testified that they had been warned they would lose their jobs if their testimony caused the defendants’ conviction.

Attempted to Bribe

“You evidently heard from the same persons that I received a letter from,” Judge Jones said, indicating that an attempt had been made to influence him also.

Later, Detective Moser told a representative of The News that he could have filled his pockets with money by agreeing to “fall down” in his testimony, indicting that efforts had been made to bribe him.

Detective Moser, while on the witness stand, told of meeting Long on West Trade street the night before he and Roberts were seen by the detectives making the delivery of liquor.

“Long told me then that there was no use trying to get him as he had ‘closed up for the night,’” Detective Moser testified.

“Yes, as we are going to get you some of these nights,” Moser said he replied.

“No officer will ever get me in that car,” the detective said Long informed him, pointing to a high speed roadster in which the liquor delivery was alleged to have been made the following night.

Detectives Moser and West testified that they fired nine shots, the former shooting five times and the latter four. Neither made an attempt to hit the fleeing men, hoping that the sound of pistol would make them believe they were in danger of being shot and that a surrender would occur. Mr. Moser said he shot at Long’s automobile four times, and fired one shot the in the direction of Roberts. Detective West fired four times in the direction of Roberts.

Colonel Kirkpatrick accused West of shooting to kill Roberts. The detective was vehement in denying that he had done so, defying any man to make the statement that he had ever attempted to kill anyone. T times it appeared that a few more words might bring on a fight between the colonel and the detective, but the lawyer’s query as to whether the officer was mad always brought a negative answer.

Reports existed following the attempt of the officers to catch Long and Roberts that the windshield of the car had been broken by pistol bullets. Detective Moser testified that he did not know if he hit the car, and it was brought brought out by either side that damage to the machine had been inflicted. Attorneys for the defense considered it outrageous that detectives should fire at fleeing men when they did not know if they were guilty of a crime. The officers insisted that they were positive of the contents of the handbag when they brought their guns into action.

Patrolman Ed McLain, of the city police, followed Detectives Moser and West on the witness stand, telling of his efforts to run down Long, the former using the police Ford.

Charles G. Holler, a harness maker, testified that he made the handbag in which the 12 quarts of liquor was found by the detectives after Long and Roberts had fled. He said he had made several handbags for Long in the last few months.

G.M. Riley, city detective, and Clyde Bryant, son of a federal revenue officer, told of an attempt to get Long and some liquor at a house on the Catawba river some time ago.

Assisting Solicitor Guthrie in the prosecution was District Solicitor G.W. Wilson of the superior court; D.E. Henderson of the local bar, and assistant City Solicitor E.B. Bridges. Mr. Henderson was employed by individuals.

The defense offered no testimony.

From the front page of The Charlotte News, July 26, 1921

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JULY 24, 1921:

Lewis Long Out Under $500 Bond. . . Alleged Liquor Dealer and Partner Surrender to Police Saturday

Lewis Long and Dewey Roberts, after evading the police for 10 days, gave themselves up Saturday afternoon and made bond of $500 each to insure their appearance in the municipal court Tuesday morning for trial on charges of transporting and retailing liquor.

The two men went to the office of Col. T.L. Kirkpatrick, who previously had been engaged as their attorney. Colonel Kirkpatrick notified Police chief W.B. Orr and he went to the attorney’s office. Later Long and Roberts were taken to police headquarters and held while bond was being arranged.

The defendants will plead “not guilty” when they appear before Judge Jones, Colonel Kirkpatrick announced.

Representing the defendants with Colonel Kirkpatrick will be David B. Smith. The two lawyers were engaged by friends of Long and Roberts several days ago. Colonel Kirkpatrick stated in court one morning last week that he had been employed as Long’s attorney and that he would appear in court for trial in a few days. The case was docketed on court records following the announcement of the lawyer.

Detectives Moser and West attempted to capture Long and Roberts as the latter was about to deliver a suitcase of liquor at an East Morehead street home. The two men had a lead on the officers in the chase which could not be overcome. Before the detectives could reach the point where Long’s automobile stood, he and Roberts made a successful getaway. Several shots were fired at the two men, Roberts dropped the suitcase and it was found to contain 12 quarts of liquor. Five shots are said to have penetrated the windshield of the automobile, which was driven by Long.

From The Charlotte News, Sunday morning, July 24, 1921

Keep Cotton Mills Running, Editorials From July 22 and 25, 1921

Keeping the Cotton Mill Running

The cotton mill is kept running, although prices for yarn are low. But the mill management figures that if the hands can be kept employed the people of the community are provided with an income, and the trade is held to a certain extent by the sales of the product. The organization is always an important factor about any industry, and if the hands can be kept employed and on the job so that in case business picks up again some day they will be there ready to work, it will be much better than having everybody scattered.

Then Mr. Cameron figures that the community has grown up about the cotton mill and it is better to find something for the hands to do even if the mill makes no profit, than to shut down and make no profit. It is the case of the oyster when the cook asked him if he would be fried or roasted, and he said he didn’t see that it made much difference. The demand for yarn is still slow, and one reason is that the government when the war closed had on hand a large supply of cotton goods of various kinds and has been throwing that on the markets at any price and in big quantity to get rid of it. How much of that material is yet to be unloaded is not known, but it has badly demoralized trade, and is a factor in the uncertainty that still prevails.

At the mill office it is said that it is hard to make a forecast on the prospect for cotton. The mill has a big stock still in the warehouses, which it is working up as fast as it can, but it is not enthusiastic over manufacturing yarn from cotton that cost 35 or 40 cents a pound and sells in the market in competition with cotton that cost 12 cents. Trying to work off the high priced cotton in manufactured form has had an influence in lessening the demand for cotton goods. Every wholesaler who had on his hands cotton that he had bought at a high figure disliked to push it out at the present lower prices. So selling the manufacturer goods has been a slow business.

Gradually the market is taking goods that have been made from last year’s crop, and with the smaller crop made this year, which the government estimates at 8,500,000 bales, or the lowest that has been made in 25 years, it is presumed that the new cotton will be called for in the course of time. Every day the mill is using some of the stock on hand, and it must have more when that is gone.

From The Pilot, Devoted to the Upbuilding of Vass and Its Surrounding County, Friday, July 22, 1921

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The Way Out

It is the desire of the Charlotte cotton mills affected by the strike which has been running for nearly 60 days to re-open their plants. While they can make but little money under present conditions while operating, they will be better off running than to stand idle.

It is the desire of the striking employes, a vast percent of them, to return to work. While their wages are unsatisfactory, as the wages of almost everybody else these days, they are better off with a reduced pay envelope than they are without any pay at all.

The operators and the operatives, therefore, are in identically the same circumstances. Both have the same desire; both have the same relative economic standing. Both are losing heavily by the continuance of the strike.

What keeps them apart, then?

As we have been led to believe, it is upon the counsel of the president of the United Textile Workers Union and subordinate officers that the individual mill workers are not being allowed the right of exercise of their own judgment. The organization has interposed itself between them and their daily occupation, between them and food and clothing for themselves and their families, between them and what is obviously their best interest.

If the International union of which they are members and to which they have been looking for support was making good with its promises to hold them harmless while this “test of strength” is being consummated, there might be some reason, if not propriety, in holding out in hope of winning their contentions. But, manifestly, the union has fallen flat and the word of its president has not been observed.

The funds which have been sent into the communities affected by the mills are too scant to do more than touch the fringes of the suffering. We doubt if the workers are getting back, in these times of distress, anything like what they have been paying into the treasury of this organization during these years in the ways of dues. The International organization came to lead them into a realization of their demands, came to promise them sustenance and a livelihood and has left them in a condition described by non-partisans as no less than deplorable.

It is time for the mill workers in unison to exercise their own sovereignty in this matter and for all parties concerned to make an immediate end to the present impasse.

We have a notion that if the workers will indicate their determination to return to their posts, they will find the mill managers in a gracious mood of acceptance. It is a glorious fact that but very little ill-feeling has been provoked. The operatives have conducted themselves in splendid orderliness and their community is not unmindful of this behavior. The mill owners have done nothing to aggravate the situation and are hoping that when, at length, relations are re-established, operations may be carried out without an unpleasant recollection of the present situation.

And while the mill operatives have a duty to perform in connection with their return to work, the mill owners have one no less imperative. The present day wages among cotton mill employes are too low to enable this class of our citizenship to live the sort of life they ought to aspire to live, to abide in comfort, to enjoy healthful environs and to educate their children. It is a wage justified alone by the fact that economic conditions allow no higher pay, a claim which we accept and which we believe a majority of the workers themselves believe.

When, however, conditions begin to brighten up and cotton products are selling at a price that will bring the mills reasonable profits, the wages of the workers ought to be increased. They ought to be told that such will be the disposition of the mill managers. The workers ought not to be forced to face a period of permanent wage decreases unless economic conditions are permanently to remain as they are toda,--and this is too improbable to consider. Once the workers have assurance, as definite and clear as can be given them, that they will be cared for as the markets improve, they will be more amenable to the proposition of returning to their task with better spirit and more hopeful of better things to come.

From the editorial page of The Charlotte News, Monday, July 25, 1921

Home Canning To Cost Less This Summer, Says Home Demonstration Agent, July 22, 1921

Truck for Canning Less

Miss Proffit, the county home demonstration agent, says the truck for canning this year will be less than in past seasons and she urges every woman in the county to watch for all the stuff she can get to can or preserve in any way and care for it for winter. The same reports come from all over the country. The dry summer has spoiled much of the garden stuff, and the early spring frosts killed the fruit and vegetables in many of the sections where that kind of food material is made for the canneries. So Miss Proffit warns everybody to go to unusual efforts to provide for the winter, and not to depend on what cannot be forthcoming from other sources. The latter part of this season may produce something in the gardens that can be saved for winter, and some fruit may yet be available. But she thinks nothing should be allowed to get away that can be saved.

From The Pilot, Devoted to the Upbuilding of Vass and Its Surrounding County, Friday, July 22, 1921

How Sugar Barons Manipulate Price, July 22, 1921

Sugar Troubles

Troubles continue to multiply in the sugar market, but the Vass housewife who is now buying it from 6 to 9 cents, where a year ago she was paying from 22 to 30 cents, isn’t going to interfere. In all the history of the staple, conditions have never been in the sugar market anything like they are today. The price of raw sugar has been declining for 18 months. Other declines may come, as there are many warehouses still stocked by men who expected to drive up the price and wax rich, and they must sell now to pay back the sums they originally borrowed to lay in their supply.

When sugar sold at 22 cents a year ago there was absolutely no occasion for it, because there was no shortage. The rumor that a shortage did exist was started by the same men who successfully cornered the market for a while. The inflated price brought a surplus from all over the world. The speculators could not take it all, so the decline set in. Of its own weight the price started to break, continued to break, and may break still further.

This country has enormous sugar stocks on hand, and there is no occasion for a raid by the money-loving speculators. However, you need not be surprised if, in a short time, you her another fanciful yarn to the effect that sugar is going up, that this or that has happened to the crop, or that there’s another strike in Cuba. The only way the price of sugar can be advanced is to frighten the public, or for merchants themselves to get scared and begin limiting the amount of sugar sold to a customer. Then the sugar baron accomplishes the very purpose he seeks—he gets he price of sugar up to a point where he can unload it at an enormous profit, and he unloads. Sugar would never sell for more than it is selling at now in this country if the people would only buy it a few pounds at a time, as they need it, instead of hoarding it away.

From The Pilot, Devoted to the Upbuilding of Vass and Its Surrounding County, Friday, July 22, 1921

Names of 61 Fallen in World War I on Robeson County War Dead Plaque, 1919

The Robeson County War Dead 1919 Plaque at the Robeson County Court House, Lumberton, was a painted wooden panel with a cathedral like scene of columns that formed three high arches. Each arches contained words: The Call, The Answer, and The Epitaph. The plaque listed 45 white, 12 indian and 4 colored. It deteriorated over time and was replaced in 1939 with a bronze plaque. Additional names and spelling corrections were made to the replacement and one name on the 1919 plaque, James McNeil, is not on the replacement. It was dedicated March 12, 1919.

The Call

This is not a day of triumph; it is a day of dedication. Here muster not the forces of party, but the forces of humanity. Men’s hearts wait upon us, men’s lives hang in the balance, Men’s hopes call upon us to say what we will do.

Who shall live up to the great trust? Who dares fail to try? I summon all honest men, all patriotic, all forward looking men, to my side. God helping me I will not fail them if they will but council and sustain me.

--Woodrow Wilson

The Answer

White

George E. Galloway

Charles Hall

Carson Chason

Donnie Sutton

Edgar Lovette

Coy Britt

E. Lathrop Austin

Murdoc McRae

Alva Ivey

Benjamine Carter

Marvin J. Odum

Ed. J. Pope

Geo. Lawson

John H. Walker

Sam McLaughlin

Duncan G. Shaw

John A. McLean

Alfred Oliver

Herbert Watson

James Collins

Daniel Marsh

Lonnie Proctor

Casper Stone

Henry Barr

Edwin V. Johnson

O.B. O’Brien

D.B. Purcell

Edmund Britt

Walter L. Beasley

James McNeil

Martin L. Stuart

Lloyd Pittman

G.H. Marsh

Gus Norton

Atlas Johnson

James E. Smith

William S. Hyatt

Archie Gillespie

Ellis Tyner

Raymond Evers

Willis Allen Lee

Archie Gillespie

E. Dawson Bullock

Claude E. Phillips

Indian

Ellis Hardin

Calvin B. Lowery

William R. Oxendine

Preston Locklear

Harvey Oxendine

Winslow Locklear

Addinall H. Lockey

Golden Oxendine

Lonnie Hunt

Garfield Lowery

Jake Edwards

W.R. Oxendine

Colored

Arthur Rozier

Zeddie Robenson

Marshall Pitman

Lacy H. McCallum

The Epitaph

Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Paltria Mori

Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look and fail with longing for them all the day long.

Deut. 28:32

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

From Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina | Robeson County War Dead 1919 Plaque, Lumberton (unc.edu)